Years of lavishing a pet with treats can leave them appearing a bit large around the gut. Obesity in pets can sneak up on you, and once all those extra pounds are on, they’re hard to get off! Some pet owners might be tempted to turn to weight loss supplements as a quick way to help their pup shave off some fat. However, it’s not always guaranteed that these pills actually work—or that they’re safe for your furry friend. Get the facts on weight loss supplements to ensure you’re making healthy decisions for your pet. Rule #1: Ask your vet for advice Always check with your vet before purchasing a weight loss supplement. Many are available over the counter at pet and health food stores, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe. Supplements are largely unregulated and could put your pet’s health at risk if you don’t know exactly what’s going into their body. Your vet should always determine whether weight loss supplements are appropriate for your pet and which ones contain the ingredients that will help your pet the most. Veterinarians usually recommend weight loss supplements only as a last resort, because even the most popular brands available today have inconsistent results. For instance, many have praised chitosan for its ability to excrete fat cells from the body. The truth is, studies demonstrate that the level of fat excretion is often too small to make an impact on your pet’s weight loss. Some weight loss supplements are potentially dangerous! For example, some studies have linked conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to an increased risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. Additionally, weight loss supplements can be risky because you never know how they’re going to interact with your dog’s breed and health conditions. Owners who don’t consult a vet for guidance might accidentally give their pet the wrong dosage. Smaller dog breeds can’t handle the same number of milligrams a vet might prescribe to larger ones. The bottom line is that weight loss supplements may help your pet, but they should never be given without veterinary approval first. Potential weight loss supplements for pets If they deem it necessary, vets can prescribe one of several weight loss supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids have been approved for dogs in the form of fish oil. This compound has been found to encourage weight loss in cats and dogs. Omega-3s also have a range of other health benefits for pets! Vets recommend a supplement instead of actual fish because the latter can add extra calories to your dog’s diet. Alternatively, vets might recommend sprinkling white kidney bean extract on your dog’s food to aid in weight loss. White kidney beans prevent starches from breaking down into simple sugars by blocking an enzyme called alpha amylase. Sugar provides both dogs and humans short-term energy but is considered unsustainable in the long run. As a natural starch blocker, white kidney bean extract encourages your dog’s body to derive energy from fat and proteins, instead. Dirlotapide is another popular choice among veterinarians. It was the first FDA-approved weight loss supplement designed exclusively for dogs and is available only with a prescription. Dirlotapide suppresses a dog’s appetite by accumulating fat in the intestinal tract. The medication prevents fat cells from getting absorbed into the bloodstream, which leads to a dog feeling full. Unlike other supplements available on the market, multiple studies have confirmed that dirlotapide is both safe and effective for weight loss in dogs. Prevention is key in pet weight management When it comes to weight gain and obesity, prevention is the best medicine. It’s much easier to keep the weight off to begin with than to treat a pet who’s accumulated extra weight. Owners can help their pets maintain a healthy weight by placing them on a calorie-restricted diet and feeding them nutritious foods. No two pets are the same, so ask your veterinarian for advice on which types of foods you should be feeding your dog or cat. They’ll clue you in on which brands contain less fat, high-quality proteins and all the nutrients your pet needs. A healthy diet isn’t complete without regular exercise. Pets need a balance between their caloric intake and how much energy they burn every day. Make sure your cat or dog gets up and moves around in some way, whether that be daily walks, play time with chew toys, fetch or running around outside. Your vet can suggest more ideas for how to encourage an active lifestyle that keeps off the extra weight. More research is needed to prove the effectiveness of weight loss supplements for overweight cats and dogs. A few of them might work, but owners should administer them based on guidance from their veterinarians. Only a professional can recommend supplements with proven results and steer you away from ones that aren’t worth it. Source: https://petwellbeing.com/  

Halo NBFriends! NatureBridge kembali lagi dengan acara Flexing on the Bridge! Kegiatan outdoor seru bersama Pawrent dan juga Pawfriends pada tanggal 16 Maret 2024 kemarin di Tell ‘N Tails, Lembang Bandung diselenggarakan meriah bersama puluhan peserta dari seluruh kota Bandung. Flexing on the Bridge di ikuti oleh berbagai komunitas anjing dan juga ras anjing kecil hingga besar. Seperti corgi, poodle, golden retriever, siberian husky, alaskan malamute dan masih banyak lagi. Tidak hanya itu, kegiatan Flexing on the Bridge yang berlangsung dari jam 10 pagi hingga 4 sore ini terdapat banyak lomba yang di banjiri hadiah juga loh! Ada lomba Fun Dog Walk yang dilakukan di pagi hari dimana Pawrent dan anabul berjalan-jalan di sekitar kawasan Tell ‘N Tails Dog Park yang asri dan sejuk. Fun Agility, dimana para anbul beradu ketangkasan, Basic Obidient lomba untuk mengetes trik yang di kuasai anabul, Eating Contest dan Testimonial LOHAS yang di sponsori oleh NatureBridge, serta lomba Come to Mama yang di sponsori oleh Flexi Dog Leash. Kegiatan Flexing on the Bridge ini merupakan ajang bonding yang bertujuan untuk anabul dan juga Pawrent. Menghabiskan waktu bersama hewan peliharaan di luar ruangan dengan menyenangkan sangat berpengaruh pada kesehatan dan juga mood dari hewan peliharaan kita. Selain bertemu dengan teman baru untuk anabul NBFriends juga bisa sharing bersama Pro Train Pet Camp seputar pelatihan anjing, sekaligus mencoba dry food dari NatureBridge dan juga dog leash paremium buatan Jerman dari Flexi. Jadi sambil bermain bermain bersama anbul, sharing, NBFriends juga bisa belanja kebutuhan anabul dari NatureBridge dan juga Flexi Dog Leash di stand yang sudah disediakan. Tapi jika NBFriends ketinggalan untuk berbelanja, NBFriends tetap bisa mendapatkan produk-produk NatureBridge dan juga Flexi Dog Leash di Official E-commerce CP Petindo ya. Buat NBFriends yang belum bisa ikut Flexing on the Bridge jangan khawatir karena Flexing on the Bridge akan di adakan di banyak kota-kota besar di Indonesia. Cek terus sosial media @naturebridgeid, @flexileashid, dan juga @loveyourpetid ya untuk mengetahui info acara Flexing on the Bridge. Tunggu kehadirannya di kotamu ya!  

Keeping your cat’s teeth and gums healthy is important no matter how old they are. Unfortunately, our feline friends aren’t fond of having a toothbrush and gel used in their mouths. If your kitty refuses to let you brush their teeth, all hope isn’t lost for their oral health! There are a few other methods you can use to protect their teeth. Here are a few of the best brushing alternatives to help your cat avoid problems like bad breath, tooth decay and periodontal disease. Specialized food Some specialty cat foods are designed to improve the dental health of our feline friends. These foods might contain certain nutrients that can greatly improve a cat’s oral health, including zinc, calcium and more. These types of foods are usually larger and a bit more abrasive than traditional kibble, as well. As your cat chews, the larger pieces might help knock off plaque that has built up on your cat’s teeth. There are many different types of dental diets for cats, and some will only be accessible via a prescription from your vet. Before putting your cat on a specialty food for oral health, make sure you consult your veterinarian to ensure your cat will still be getting the appropriate nutrients and calories each day. Adding an oral health supplement to your pet’s daily diet might also make a difference. Herbal supplements might protect your pet’s gums and help prevent bad breath and gum disease. Dental treats and toys Do you have a playful cat that loves toys and treats? There are plenty of “fun” cat products available that may improve their dental health! Some cat toys on the market have a flossing effect that can help clean in between your cat’s teeth. These toys are often designed to look like things cats enjoy playing with but are made from a rubberized material that’s slightly abrasive against the teeth. In addition to dental toys, your cat might also benefit from dental sticks or treats. These specially formulated treats are designed to work similarly to dental diets and toys by removing some of the plaque along your cat’s teeth and gums. They might even help reduce your cat’s stinky breath! Keep in mind that dental treats contain calories, so they should be considered alongside your pet’s diet. Before purchasing any of these products, it’s important to do proper research and consult your veterinarian. Dental exams and professional cleanings Unfortunately, dental toys, treats and specialized foods are no substitute for routine brushing and cannot provide the same protection against decay or gum disease. Therefore, you should have your cat’s teeth examined by a veterinarian regularly. During their dental exam, your vet will look at your cat’s teeth and gums to check for plaque and any signs of damage or disease. In some cases, your vet may need have an X-ray done to get a better understanding of your cat’s oral health. Professional cleanings are also recommended for all cats every once in a while. Many vets offer teeth cleaning services, where they use anesthesia to keep your kitty relaxed while they remove all the plaque and tartar from their mouth. Cats who refuse to have their teeth brushed at home may need to have their teeth cleaned professionally more often. Discuss your pet’s oral health schedule with your vet to ensure you stay on top of any problems. The importance of keeping your cat’s mouth cleanDental health is something every cat owner should pay attention to, whether your cat allows you to brush their teeth or not. Teeth and gum issues in your pet can cause them great discomfort and might even cause them to lose teeth. If their oral health issues get really bad, your cat might refuse to eat, which can lead to a number of other health problems. And, if left unchecked, gingivitis can lead to more severe periodontal disease, which not only affects the mouth but the entire body. If you’re worried about your cat’s dental health, try to do a quick examination of their mouth at home. Major problems can usually be spotted right away, including missing teeth or red and bleeding gums. If you notice these problems, or if your cat is showing signs of oral pain, then it’s best to take them to the vet right away. Fortunately, you can help your cat avoid these tooth troubles by administering preventative oral health from a young age. Whether you brush at home or use oral health products alongside routine professional cleanings, you’ll keep your kitty’s teeth pearly white and healthy for years. Source: https://petwellbeing.com/